BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Ramsay High School Assistant Principal Casandra Fells presided over commencement ceremonies today, but for many of the graduating seniors, ousted Principal Evelyn Nettles was the most important part of their graduation ceremony.

Nettles, whose name still appeared on commencement programs that were evidently printed in advance, sat in a first-row seat during the ceremony. Most of the students stopped to hug her after receiving their diplomas.

Ramsay High School Graduation: May 28, 2014BIRMINGHAM, Alabama--Scenes from the graduation ceremony for Ramsay High School at the Bill Harris Arena at the Crossplex Wednesday, May 28, 2014. Many graduates hugged former Principal Evelyn Nettles after they received their diplomas.

When Valedictorian Alexia Terrell mentioned Nettles as an important figure in the lives of the students, the crowd erupted with cheers.

After the ceremony, Nettles donned her academic regalia and posed for photos with the graduates, just as Fells had done prior to the ceremony.

"It's very disappointing that I had to receive my diploma from someone who was not my principal," said graduate Tiffany Willis. "Of course Miss Fells was there with us just as Dr. Nettles was, but it was the relationship we had with our principal."

Willis, who plans to attend the University of West Alabama in the fall, said seniors planned the photo shoot and Nettles agreed. They also asked her to sit on the front row so she could congratulate them, Willis said.

Graduate R.J. McIntyre said he would hang both his photo with Nettles and his photo with Fells at his home. He said Fells is a great assistant principal, but that students "loved Dr. Nettles like she was our mom."